davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Connecticut western news., 1887-08-24
The Highwayman.

Did you ever meet robber, with pistol and
 knife, ... Whose prompt and cordial greeting was
 ''Your money or your lifel" Who while you stood a-trembling, with your
 hands above your head, Ss'. r. 'sSss Took your gold, most grimly offering to pay
 you in cold lead! We'll, I once met robber; Twas going home
 to tea; The way was rather lonely though not yet too
 dark to see That the sturdy rogue who stopped me there
 was very fully armed; But I'm honest in maintaining that didn't
 feel alarmed. He was painting hard from running so I,
 being still undaunted, Very boldly faced the rascal and demanded
 what he wanted was quite as big as he was, and was not
 out of breath, So didn't fear his shooting me, or stabbing
 me to death. In answer to my question the highwayman
 raised an arm And pointed it straight at me, though still
 felt no alarm; He did not ask for money, but what he said
 was this, "You cannot pass, papa, unless you give your
 boy kiss!" 7. IAllen c. Bigelow, in St Nicholaa
Connecticut western news., 1887-08-24
Where Captain John Smith was Killed

"Why don't you people locate the exact spot where the Indians placed Captain John Smith upon the rock to kill him9' asked of two geptlemen of an antiquarian turn who werc aR. some old Virginia records. "WeM, answered one of them, ''that is hard question to settle. Sometimes we have strong reasons for locating the spot at 'Powhatan' just below the D. 41p again we think it ought to be further down the river, but since so many relic hunters have clipped pieces from big rock at 'Powhatan' believing that they were securing fragments of the stone up on which Smiths head was placed to re- ceive blows from the clubs of the h. dians, it seems pity to weave out facts that would mar the legendary lore that has so long clustered about 'Powhatan' and the stone in the yard.'"
Connecticut western news., 1887-08-24
"NOW | Lay Me"

The authorship of the little prayer ''Now Lay Me-" is thus accounted for in an almanac of the year 1891, in the possession of the Massachusetts Historical Society. The advertisement reads: ''There is now in the press and will suddenly be extant, a second i'm pression of the New England Primer, enlarged, to which is added directions for spelling the Prayer of K. Edward the VI., and verses made by MT. Rogers, the martyr, left as a legacy to his children. Sold by Benjamin Har- ris, at the London Coffee House in Bos- ton." From this notice we learn that '.Now I Lay Me-" is among the verses made by MT. Rogers, the martyr.-[De- troit Free Press.
Connecticut western news., 1887-08-24
Origin of Paper-HanginSs.

The art of making paper-hangings was copied from the Chinese, among whom it has been practised from time inn memorial. Wallpapers did not come into common use in Europe till the eighteenth century; but stamped papers for the purpose appear to have been made in Spain and Holland about 1555. The first allusion to wallpapers known to exist is in the examination of Herman schinkel, printer of Delft, who was accused in 1868 of printing books mimi cal to the Catholic faith. Being interro- gated as to certain ballads, he said they had been printed by his servant in his absence, and that when he came home and found they were not delivered, he refused to deliver them, and threw them into corner, intending to print roses and stripes on the back to paper attics with. It is probably to King William III. that the introduction of wall papers into England is due. Papcr-hangings of sort, it is true, were in use in Eng land and some parts of the Continent long before the time of William of Orange; but they usually consisted merely of maps of the world, as it was known then, with fantastic borders of Indians, negroes and elephants, and other ''natives of far-off regions" The art of paper-hanging in imitation of the old velvet flock was new when William came to England. It was on the walls of the drawing room at Kensington Palace that these new hangings were first seen in that country. They took the fancy of the fashionables of the day, and their cheapness being an additional recommendation, they speedily came into general use.-[ Mechanical News.
Connecticut western news., 1887-08-24
"SOda.Water." :"

The drinking of so-callcd ''soda-wat- CT" is becoming more and more gener- al. There are nearly seven thousand fountains in Boston alone. They are found not only in drug stores but in restaurants, bar-rooms, confectionery stores and retail merchant establish ments. One house in the city has a fountain which costs between five and six thousand dollars.
 All are familiar with the efferescence and foam that attend the mixing in wa ter of carbonate of soda and tartaric acid. As the term "soda" is applied both to the fountain and to the drink is- suing from it, one naturally supposes that there is soda in the foaming fluid he is taking. It is not so, however The water is charged with carbonic acid, and is favored and sweetened with some one of the various syrups. The carbonic acid gas is forced into water with a press ure of one hundred and eighty pounds to the square inch, and it is the  escape of this gas, when the faucet is turned and the water flows into the tumbler, that causes the foaming.
 The gas was formerly obtained from carbonate of soda, and hence the present name, which still clings to it; but it is now obtained from marble, which is a carbonate of lime. Marble is simply lime and carbonic acid chemically com bined The union is weak one. Sul- phuric acid has much stronger affinity for the lime than the carbonic acid has, and upon being poured on powdered marble, releases the carbonic acid, which is then absorbed by the water. It makes no difference with the drink whether the carbonic acid is obtained from soda or from marble, since nothing but the a cid passes into the water.
 In, and in the neighborhood of, large cities, the sellers of soda water do not charge their own fountains. It is done for them at large central establishments. -[Youth's Companion. 2
Connecticut western news., 1887-08-24
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The Worlds Gold.

Gold is dispersed over almost all the world, in one or other of those various forms, either in auriferous quartz, ancient river gravels, in. modern allu- vium or on the beds of streams. In Britain where large quantities exist in the form of sovereigns, certain amount of local gold is found near DolgeIly, dis persed through veins or quartz, but hardly in sufficient quanties to repay crushing. In Scotland few of the streams in Sutherland, tributaries of the Helmsdale river, bring down small mug gets from the neighboring drift. In Ire land gold occurs in places among the Wicklow hills, but none has yet been discovered in the natural matrix,. though few specks have sometimes been observed on rocks in different parts of the country. Europe as whole, how ever, is poor in gold. A little has at times been mined in the Thuringian forest; considerable amounts exist in Bohemia; Hungary and Italy yield fair quantities; and moderate amount is found in the Ural mountains, both in original deposits and in beds of river sand. In the last named case, the specks are too small to be separately visible to the naked eye.
 In Asia there is far more gold. India has vast amount, if you can only get at it-I do not wish to encourage reckless speculation-chief1y by crushing very solid rock. s ,beria also contains plenty of gold, and other outlying countries come in for their share. But where Africa's sunny fountains roll down their golden sand, or, to be more precise, on the gold coast and elsewhere, still richer deposits have long been known, while the Transvaal just at present forms the newest Eldorado of adven- turous miners and still more adventur- ous, not to say foolish, investors. In America there is gold in California, gold in the Rocky mountains, gold in the AL leghanies, gold in Canada. And in Australia there is more gold still, though the yield of late has steadily fallen off, and the mines of Victoria have begun to show symptoms of gradual exhaustion. II Cornhill.
Connecticut western news., 1887-08-24
Fortunes in Buns.

The English bun, 8 compromise be- tween cake and bread, has attracted an American traveller, who says that it is very filling, and you can get big one for penny, and one exposing lonely plum or two on its surface for two pence
 Fortunes have been made out of buns, such is their popularity with the masses, and four generations of the same family died rich from the profits of the Chelsea bun house, which, on Good Fridars, had to be closed on account of riots raised by disappointed customers when the stook was cold out.-[ Cleveland Leader.
Connecticut western news., 1887-08-24
Wooden Shoes.

The wooden shoes in use among the French peasantry, have, l see, been in- troduced in London for children's wear. The wooden shoe is not in very free use with us. French workmen in certain classes of factories and shops where the floors are always wet have adopted them and you caa buy them in the French quarter, where they form part of the stock of every small grocery store. Like snow-shoes they require that the wearer shall be educated up to them, and no one will ever wear them who can afford to wear leather shoe. Leather uppers with wooden soles are worn by many workmen at work and these are clumsy and ponderous enough. When 1t comes to shoe entirely of wood the Anglo-Saxon foot must kick. -- New York News.
Connecticut western news., 1887-08-24

The population of Great Britain is at the present momsntsSeing added to at the rate of at leasA 1000 persons day, or in the words of fAe registrar general, 'srreceives every ten S~srs an excession cqukl to the whole population of Lon don.n In connection with this enor- nous growth two points deserve to be noted. The disproportion of the sexes, in itself a serious eviL is slowly but steadily increasing. The distribution of the population is undergoing sensible change. The towns-except where some special cause is at work-are everywhere growing. The rural population is either standing still or actually diminishing. The metropolis alone receives every week an addition of more than 1000 persons, and the cry is, .'Still they comet"
Connecticut western news., 1887-08-24

The Boston Budget says it has s'al- ways believed it policy for our govern ment to make treaties with China which might increase our trade with country. China has vast capacities for trade and business enterprises, and no doubt Americans might secure some of the trade of that country. General Wilson, who has been spending some time in the in terior of China, intimates that it is a fallacy to suppose that China has al ready more mouths than it can feed. General Wilson. states that the country Is not overcrowded, and he believes it could maintain three times the present population. The Chinese are frugal and industrious. The main obstacle of American energy and capital is to be met in the conservatism of the literary or governing classes. A small party of Chinese liberals favor the building of railroads and factories, and the open ing of the mines, but the people will not for the present borrow money on the credit of their government, or even pledge their revenues. Neither will they grant concessions or subsidies, te foreigners. China has in its public trea- sury no surplus for railroad subsidies, and their government is shy of borrow ling and lending. The commerce of tht United States with China is in its in fancy, and General Wilson thinks that we should lose no time In putting ou, diplomatic and consular service on sucl . basaa = will enable 1t to promote com nsrcs to the fullest extent. ''
Connecticut western news., 1887-08-24
A Quick Filter.

For quick filter, take clear piece of chamois skin, free from thin places, cut it of the desired length, wash it in a weak solution of sal soda or any alkali to remove the grease, and rinse thor oughly in cold water before using. Tine lures, elixirs, syrups, and even muci- lages, are, says writer in Druggists Cir cular, filtered rapidly. A pint of the thickest syrup will run through in four or five minutes. By washing thorough ly after each time of using 1t will last . long tims.
Connecticut western news., 1887-08-24

A very extraordinary case is about to come before the high tribunal of Malaga in Spain. A few months ago woman belonging to the Village of Torrox de- clared that the Virgin Mary had appeared to her and had ordered her to preach a new gospel for the salvation of mankind, as the end of the world was at hand. The woman's story seems to have been believed without hesitation, and soon the whole village was in state of religious frenzy The woman preached in favor of tho abandonment of earthly posses sions, and advocated return to the mode of life and habits of primitive man. During the height of the frenzy 8 large fire was lighted in the village, into which the converts to this fantastic superstition threw their valuables, furni- ture and clothes, men, women and chil- dren dancing and shouting around the fire. Warned of what was going on, tht local gendarmerie arrived only just il time to save the infants from being thrown into the fire by their frenziet mothers, and to prevent the houses i, the village from being set on fire.
Connecticut western news., 1887-08-24

The northwest corner of Texas IS called s.The Panhandle" and there is town there with the same name, and in the town a newspaper in which appears this notice: "Wanted, immediately, one hun- dred single young women who are pre- pared to rough it for time, to come to the Panhandle and marry our thrifty young men who have located on $40 acres of land and are now living in dug outs, tents and cabins. We can speak a good word for every one of the boys; they are all noble American citizens, ex- ccpt one, and he is little unfortunate in being the son of an English lord. Girls, this is good chance. Besides this, married life will beat single blessedness every time. In few months time the dugouts will be turned into cellars and comfortable houses erected when the rail roads bring in lumber"
Connecticut western news., 1887-08-24

The bridge ac1oss the Hudson at Poughkeepsie prom ises to be marvel in its way. More than 200 feet up in the air; high above the tallest masts of the largest schooner, will be the most con spicuous artificial object along the Hud- son between Albany andA New York. The superstruetnre on the east shore of the Hudson has just been finished. Work is now being done on the cantilever arms on the vest slde. An enormous force of men is employed pushing the work as rapidly as possible before cold .Sveafher
Connecticut western news., 1887-08-24
The Old Man Was Too Nasty,

A staid old Hubbardston farmer came to the Hub yesterday to do "a leetle tradin'," and as he meandered down Washington street ''headed for the Fitchburg depot," as he said, he sud- denly halted, gazed excitedly at sign in front of clothing house, and then darted into the store exclaiming, "Well, I yum, that is good" After due deliber- ation he selected $1O suit of clothes, rendering in payment just $7. "That's the right change, sir" said he to the astonished clerk. s'But I don't under stand it.; told you that suit would be $1O," argued the clerk. "Ycs, I know. but don't your old sign out at the door say, "All we want is 70 cents on the dollarf" and picking up his new pur- chase the honest old Hubbardston far iner hastily left. He trotted along con- gratulAting himself on his wonderful smartness, and was heard to mutter, s'I guess I'm lively enough for these 'ere city folks" But sudden change came ''6'cr the spirit of his dreams" after Ee had walked short distance. A look of utter disgust overspread his face, the bundle fell from his arms, and in a mournful tone he said, ''Why didn't I look around little before I bought them clothes2' The cause of his con- sternation was another clothing sign that read: t'Goods sold here at half price" After studying the situation several minutes he resumed his journey eepotward, saying, 'Tmight have saved $5 just as we'll as not if I hadn't been in such pesky hurry. ."-[ Boston Post.
Connecticut western news., 1887-08-24
It Was All Over.

'Then I am not to call on you any more," he said, as he twirled his hat in hls hand
 'That is what I intended to say," she replied, coolly.
 "And our engagement is all overt"
 "Well," she said, with some asperity, ''if you've gone and talked about 1t to everybody, l suppose 1t is. I'm sure, l haven't ssid anything about it. Nitis ell over, it's your own fault "-l Waah- jnxton clitia. ..ss E;
Connecticut western news., 1887-08-24
Roses.

uOScS. bet me lie where the roses grow; Let them their fresh green branches throv Around my mound in the grass. Let them lift, in their fullest glow, Their faces high to laugh and show A welcome to those who pass But let no sound by me be he1rd- Babble of stream, or song of bird, Be stilled in the calm earth's breast. In the quiet gloom let me lie, When the tired ear and weary eye May take their well-earnei rest The day is gone, So long and drear; Sweet it is to be resting here,
 In the long and silent night. For fear and grief away are swept; . Bitter tears are no longer wept,
 While wait for endless light. Light to reveal the cherished dead In lands from which all ills have fled, And the ruins which death has made. Lands which never shall hear a sigh, In which nothing but death shall die, And the roses never fade
 ITemple Bar.
Connecticut western news., 1887-08-24
HUMOROUS.
A board bill---The carpenters state

A board bill---The carpenters state ment ss1 N K
 Canada will soon Thirst for peace if she goes to war on codfish.
 Some one says the ago of a political party may be told by its rings s..
 A squall makes sailboats capsizc, but makes baby's mouth one size larger.
 If some men knew as much as theyN talked there wouldn't be any sale for the / encyclopedia.
 No one has yet met the man who \ would refuse a dollar because it is worth, only 7e cents.
 At the rate centenarians are increasS {, ing in this country there will be soon nd young people left. D
 A philosopher of our acqusiptapsss says: "New York is, Chics6n 4r and Boston has bean,ss M V
 Tramp "Are ,yous going in bathing sir?" Gentleman-"Yes." Tramp "Shall I hold your pocketbook9" Ss
 The difference between an epicure and \ an anarchist is that ones mighty / diner and the other s dynamiter. /
 "There's music in the heir" remarked a fond father as his young and only off, spring made his initial attempt at sing. ing.
 ''Two knots an hour isn't such bad time for clergyman, smilingly said the minister to himself, just after he had united the second couple.
 A man and a woman are reported te have been lately married on car plat. form. We have known lots of brake ' men to be engaged" there. :,
 It is said that the next edition oi Webster will describe ''yearning," as 'the feeling which Eastern people have to get away from Dakota after passing one winter in that region."
 Alarmed Pedestrian (picking up painter at the foot of ladder)-My poor man, are you hurt mucha Painter Only three ribs broken. But I went down with eolors flying, didn't IT
 The bald-headed men have the conso-\ lation of knowingfhat their affliction is more prevalept among the educated and intcllectus&than among the ignorant. : But theflies get there just the same. N
 ''How old are you, my son9" asked an old gentleman of ''tot" who was ccle- brating his birthday. 'Tm 4, was the reply, land I'm mighty glad of it; was getting very tired of being 8 all the time"
 A little fve-ycar-old boy who had seen peacock for the first time, ran in- to the house, exclaiming to his sister, "Oh, Lizzie, I've seen great, big, mon, stiferous tail walking around with hen tied to it."
 'sThat is rather shabby pair of trou. sers you have on for a man in your posi- tion." "Yes sir; but clothes do not make the man. What if my trousers are shabby and worna They cover warm heart, sir"
Connecticut western news., 1887-08-24
Dogs Biscuit.

Twenty years ago the business of mak. ing dogs biscuit was represented, by Q small shop in Holborn, nearly opposite Chancery Lane, in London, and there was weekly sale of only one or two tons. Now there is vast factory near London Bridge and another in New York and the two factories have daily output and sale of from thirty to forty tons.
 This dog food is made of wheaten flour-chief1y that known as middlings- oatmeal, dates, beet root, tand prairie meat Dates were the first article of . vegetable or fruity nature introduced, and have had the anti-scorbutic effect so desirable in the feeding of dogs.
 For many years dates were the only addition to the food employed, and at that time it was advised that fresh vege- tables should be given twice week ad- ditional to the biscuits. A searching for something that would obviatc the need for this addition led to the discov- cry that the only vegetable which did not lose its distinguishing properties under the great heat to which the cake is subjected in bakingis beet-root; and as it has all the desirable elements, for some years past all the biscuits sent out have contained beet root.
 The last ingredient is prairie meat, which is not as many persons suppose, tallow, greases or butchers refrse. It is meat from the west and South America From it all fat has been removed, but the most valuable gristle and bones re- main to be ground up and Is not only of the best quality from a feeding point of view, but perfectly sweet and good. Analysis has shown that it is much more nutritious than the beef usually sold in the butchers shops for it contains only five per cent. of water.
Connecticut western news., 1887-08-24
Why Tramp Sticks to Railroad.

'And say, young man," he continued, if you ever go travelling like me, avoid steamships. I went as stowaway one time, and I'll tell you what happened. After three days out at sea I was dis covered. The captain said to me: Young man, you'll have to go to work He set me to scraping off paint for nine days. And at the end of that time we reached port, and, instead of being al- lowed to land, was placed in irons and kept there until we left, when I was liberated and set to work again all the way to New York, where they allowed me to go. 1 never went to sea again. Railroads are good enough for mo. "- San Francisco Chronicle.
Connecticut western news., 1887-08-24

Thirty Buffalo men have subscribed @10OO each toward the $1O0, 900 prize for an invention which will turn to practical account the power going to waste in Niagara's current. Others have pledged s5OOO more in smaller sums. Letters of inquiry |from inventors and engineers are beginning to pour in on the mayor of Buffalo.
Connecticut western news., 1887-08-24
A Measure of Economy.

Boston mother-Then you have con cluded to marry James, Clara?
 Daughter Ca schoolma'am)---Yes, ma. James will soon be master and we think it will be an economical measure for us to get married.
 M,..-Where does the econo my come inf
 D.--.weli, we both wear the same sizs spectaclse. --.I Bostop Courier.
Connecticut western news., 1887-08-24

Over 1000, 900 fish poles are imported
 inso the United States annually by one finn, and yet, if the BSston Globe is to be believed, the Yankee boy, with his native alder pole, sells the owners of these imported rods most of their fish
Connecticut western news., 1887-08-24

MT. Mulhall, the English statistician, estimates that the annual increase in wealth of each of these countries per year is: Germany, $aOO, OOO, 900; Great Britain, $3e5, GOO, 900; France, $s75, ooo,- 900, and the United States, $s75, 00O,- ANN
Connecticut western news., 1887-08-24
AmhfguOus,

"And how did you like America, Count"
 "Ah! ze longer l stay away, ze better l like it. n--[Life.
Connecticut western news., 1887-08-24
As Directed.

Old Lady Gin drug store, to small boy) What am I to take this medicine in, sonny?
 Sonny-Take it in your mouth, mum. Faint to be rubbed on.-[New York Sun.
Connecticut western news., 1887-08-24

"John," said the wife of base- ball umpire, Tommy has been very bad little boy today" ''Is that so3" he re- piled, sbsent-miudedly. ''Well, I'll fins him twsnty-dve dollar. 2